Housing: Regarding wraparound services, we know the strategy works. It's been a core principle of the Consumption and Treatment Services site since it opened. I've been a part of the community advisory group from the beginning, and we know it.

I'm looking forward to progress on support for those with diabilities this fall as the federal parliament considers the Canada Disability Benefits Act. This in particular illustrates the value of having constructive relationships with other levels of government

Public Safety: While I support the positions above, there are genuine predators in the community (human traffickers, drug distribution, violent offenders) that will continue to require a police and carceral structure. But a much-reduced one.

Even though I am running for City Council and would not have a direct vote on the police budget, I would advocate for a zero increase in per-household funding for WRPS in the first year, followed by decreases. This will still mean an overall increase in the budget at first as we grow the number of households. I would insist on a two dollar increase to upstream services (some of which are provided by the city) for every dollar increase to WRPS.

Indigenous Sovereignty: To #4, I think there is a lot of opportunity for structural reform of our local councils. I'm not certain how a designated Indigenous Councillor would work, but I'd be very interested to hear some ideas. We need to find ways to bring in more voices, and more diverse voices. As the city grows and council doesn't, the ability of each councillor to represent their wards effectively is diminished. I support a larger council, with some positions perhaps earmarked for non-incumbents (at-large or city-wide Councillors are an intriguing idea) but keeping the Councillors part-time. Term limits should be discussed but I'm not in love with the idea (yet).

And this doesn't even touch on flattening our local two-tier municipal structure. I know it's a contentious conversation that councils seem to be avoiding, but I really believe there are better ways to structure the region. If for no other reason, I would like to stop hearing Councillors evade questions by pointing at other levels. This is particularly frustrating with roads, which should be the simplest thing of all. Why, for example, is Lackner Blvd (a road situated entirely with Kithcner boundaries) a Regional Road? We can simplify without getting into questions of amalgamation.

Social Services: I've already mentioned how I have supported CTS since the public consultation phase. I've seen the positive impacts that it has had in the neighbourhood. We need to move ahead with more such sites. There is a perception that Kitchener is attracting the clients that use the site because the other cities in the Region refuse, and even that they are being delivered to Kitchener. I'd like to dig into this to see if it's true, and push the other councils to step up.

Transportation: To speed limits, I'm comfortable to wait for a year or two to see how the recent reductions to 40 and 30 impact safety.

Snow removal is going to be a debate for a while I think. We could begin by creating a standard of maintenance that more clearly defines what the expectation is. If it starts snowing in the morning, my understanding of current rules is that sidewalks could be left impassible until the next morning. City intervention to fix sidewalks that are prone to icing up (a dip in the level for a few meters does this in front of my home) would address some ongoing safety questions.